Customer Reviews

The Johnny Cash Children's Album

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Johnny Cash must be one of the oddest entries in the Cash Library. It is at the least a very different Cash than we get usually. Yet it seems to make perfect sense. This reissue allows us to get a more complete picture of the man. Like his son John Carter Cash writes in the liner notes; "I see the dark, foreboding figure of Johnny Cash far too much these days. This dark side of John R. Cash is real and significant, but there is another that is just as true, and for us, those who love the man, even more important to remember; The big kid".

There is a lot to enjoy on this record. The moods are endearing, moving and joyful. A side of Cash that usually under lit; although this is an album for children, adults will find their share here. The Children's Album is a true family album.

As a musician he was perfect for children songs. The rhythms are simple, the song structure plain and the stories imaginative. Hearing this album leaves you wondering why Cash didn't do more material for children. Though intended for children, the material is rich and layered. Songs like "Little Magic Glasses" and "Call of the Wild" have a mature undertone that will be wasted on most kids, and will almost move you to tears.

Adding this to your collection will give you a more real view and complete picture of Johnny Cash. The Children's Album is highly enjoyable for the casual listener and strangely essential for the Cash fan.

Very refreshing to hear such a whimsical childhood album that not only will entertain your kids but you as well. As thouroughly entertained as I was, I can't imagine any adult feeling less so. Really. I actually found myself listening to the album after my son had gone to bed. Like much of children's entertainment, there is a silver and simple profundity in the lining - a moral to the stories that Johnny Cash sings and an adult perspective that is framed by the simple honesty and goodness that is childhood. "There's a Bear in the Woods" contrasts the cynical skepticism of an adult as he seeks to discredit the imaginative truth of childhood. Yeah, maybe there wasn't an actual bear in the woods, but in spite of that fact the kid comes off as more honest than the adult who doubts him. Quite frankly I am astonished at the opinion of the reviewer who panned this album. Apparently they think raising a child should include inculcating some type of political message. Her comments about the song "Old Shep," are taken completely out of context. The song is a classic, sung by everyone from Elvis Presley to Dean Martin, and talks about the suffering of a poor boy who must "put down" his suffering and infirm dog. I remember hearing this song as a child and it made a lingering impact. After all there is nothing more affecting than "puppy" love as it always seems to stay with you througout your life. Who doesn't remember their first dog and his eventual death? This is comforting for children because most children have experienced the agony of a pet's loss. To say otherwise is to totally misunderstand the song. Bravo to Johnny Cash who didn't think kids entertainment had to simply be something quarantined to his childhood but rather realized that it was something perhaps that could teach lessons that they carry with them throughout their life. I am proud to have my son learn its moral of love, friendship and loss all in a simple children's tale. Isn't that what the best children's literature and music should do? Pick it up. I think you'll find yourself listening to it long after you've turned out the kid's light.

What a strange album. For those wanting to help their youngsters learn early on to walk the line, this amalgam of song and spoken word is a strange but wonderful introduction to the Man in Black. Some songs, "Nasty Dan" and "Tiger Whitehead" for example, are simply swell -danceable for the very young and their buffoonish parents- other tracks drag, and the final monologue, which includes the line "Russians are red," smacks of the absurdity that underlies the concept of a children's album by the man who "shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die." Cash fans, who know that many Cash albums come with one or two songs that will make them blush at the oddity of their message or delivery (Like "Live at San Quentin?" ...remember "Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart"), will be willing to look past the drippy "Little Magic Glasses" and see the true warmth of songs like "I Got A Boy And His Name Is John" and the album as a whole. Others, stick to Raffi.

I really dislike most children's albums. I think they're so sterile & cheesy. That said, we love singing children songs together and doing all of the gestures. Some of our favorite albums are Curious George, Catch the Moon (Elizabeth Mitchell & Lisa Loeb), Songs to Grow on for Mother & Child (Woody Guthrie), & Leadbelly Sings for Children.
Johnny Cash's Children's Album is my boy's favorite- we especially love I Got a Boy and His Name is John and Grandfather's Clock. It's beautiful to hear the love in Johnny's voice for his kids- that's what makes this album extra special. He's not trying to sound kid-friendly or upbeat (hate that)- he's just singing from his beautiful heart. For people who want their children to have a rich and varied taste in music, this is a great bet.

As a parent most childrens albums are pretty awful. I can't stand Raffi or Barney. Frankly I would rather take an icepick to my ear drums.....That being said this is a excellent album. There are some sad song subjects on the cd as mentioned. But the songs are so great that it doens't matter. I mean we all sing a song about the plague; "Ring around the rosies" isn't exactly all sunshine and happiness is it? A real gem is his take on the alphabet. I really enjoy listening to this cd and my kids love it too. My 1 year old and 5 year old dance when I play it. My favorite song is the last song; Why is a fire engine red. This is such a fun, wonderful, suprising song. A classic Cash style song.

This very old kid really liked it a lot! Ranks right up there with his best writing and singing.

Like the title says, this is the Johnny Cash children's album. It was recorded at various sessions between 1971 and 1973, and was released in January 1975. It is a fun album, with a lot of cute songs for kids. "Nasty Dan" is the funniest song on the album. "I Got a Boy and His Name is John" is a good duet between Johnny and June, and is about their boy John Carter Cash. "Dinosaur Song" is a cute song about the obvious. "Call of the Wild" is a nice song sung from the point of view of a migrating goose. "Old Shep" is a country classic about a boy and his dog. And the rest of the songs are also enjoyable. The CD adds four previously unreleased bonus tracks to the album. Cash fans will enjoy this.

I didn't know what to expect from this album but was pleasantly surprised. In fact, it has become one of my favorite Johnny Cash albums (the others being American IV, American V, Live at Folsom Prison, and Bitter Tears). A few of the songs are, perhaps, forgettable, but many of the others are catchy and down-right fun. "Nasty Dan" makes me smile whenever I hear it. "I Got a Boy" is both funny and sweet. I find the tune of "Ah Bos Cee Dah" often runs through my mind. "Why is a Fire Engine Red" is just plain silly but enjoyable.

But parents should be aware: Johnny's dark side does peak out at times. "Old Shep," about a boy and his dog (who dies) is very sad, perhaps even disturbing, and "Tiger Whitehead" tells the story of a man who hunts bears. That might not be very PC in this day and age; I have a feeling it's a song that would have been more appreciated by parents and kids back in the days when Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone were heroes.

Anyway, I highly recommend it.

This album is a hit with my boys ages 4 and 2. They already loved "Ring of Fire" and now love this album.

As I am a fan of Johnny Cash since 1963 and in possession of some 100 albums I am very pleased with the possibility of buying this album. Some 10 songs are new to me and I also am specially pleased with the second version of Grandfather's Clock. As I am Dutch I have to hold this review short, but I can say: Johnny Cash still pleases and surprises me every day.
One of my desires still is the album Destination Victoria Station on CD.